In this paper we present modifications to CM 22-06 and Annex 22-06/B for including fish nest areas.
During WG-EMM 2022, the recent discovery of extended fish nest aggregation in the southern Weddell Sea was presented and questions were raised about the means for protection of this site and similar sites that may be discovered elsewhere in the future.
The provisional WG-EMM report para. 3.28 states that ''the Working Group recommended that the recently discovered icefish spawning area should be protected in a timely manner, and that a suitable mechanism is needed to enable this.'' and added para 3.29 ''that protecting the icefish spawning area in the short term could potentially be provided, for example by expanding CM 22-06 on VMEs to include fish nesting areas (...).''
In addition, WG-FSA 2022 provisional report para 6.26 stated that ''the Working Group agreed that the presence of an extensive icefish nesting ground was indicative of a VME and requested the Scientific Committee to consider a modification of CM 22-06 as a mechanism to protect these nesting areas when discovered.''
In accordance with WG-EMM and WG-FSA advice, we propose some modifications to the CM 22.06 (incl. Annex B) so as to expand the meaning of the term ''vulnerable marine ecosystem'' in the context of CCAMLR to include fish nest areas.
In addition, we present the filled proforma for the case of the icefish Neopagetopsis ionah nest aggregation in the southern Weddell Sea.